Illinois

Mitchell has a reputation as a hard-nosed negotiator, even among fellow Democrats. Though he has sometimes angered political allies, Mitchell said he’s open to listening to anyone’s ideas

The Illinois State Police issued a reminder for drivers to be careful on and around motorcycles as fatalities increase over the summer months.

Many people consider their backyard an oasis from life’s cares. But beware! Five potential dangers might be lurking there.

If you're looking for an experience that harkens back to summers past, take a road trip to these vintage drive-in restaurants and enjoy a burger, shake, root beer and more.

It is a heavy year for prevent plant crop insurance claims as some farmers, especially in southern Illinois, struggled to find a planting window as the calendar neared July.

Joliet Junior College is celebrating the passage of a bill promoting dual credit education programs for high school students in Illinois.

The number of homeless people in Illinois is rising, but the state’s spending on homeless prevention and other housing programs is headed in the other direction

The Illinois Department of Public Health is encouraging the public to be aware of ticks to prevent the spread of Lyme disease during these warm weather months.

The state also ended the fiscal year with $1.9 billion of cash in the General Revenue Fund after all bills were paid, according to the Comptroller Susana Mendoza’s office

All three Republican members of the Illinois congressional delegation voted in favor of the bill, despite a last-minute plea from Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker who warned the bill will result more than 330,000 Illinoisans losing Medicaid coverage.

Illinois legislators released the following statements Thursday after the U.S. House of Representatives passed President Donald Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts bill.

Average gas prices in many northern Illinois counties are expected to be cheaper than last year for the Fourth of July weekend as the cost of fuel continues to decline over the past several years.

Standing on the edge of a 300-foot limestone bluff in southern Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest, Machaela Sweeney could thank the perfect words she typed into ChatGPT for bringing her to the unexpected spot.

Hordes of Illinoisans will take a jaunt for July Fourth, packing O’Hare International Airport for far-flung adventures and the Tri-State en route to Michigan and Wisconsin.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has issued a reminder to residents to stay safe when handling food and enjoying the water over the hot holiday weekend.

The freeze applies to funding already approved by Congress, and state education leaders say the delay is putting school districts in a difficult position with the 2025-26 school year looming

Fourth of July festivities can be frightening and even dangerous for animals with noisy fireworks and other celebrations. The American Veterinary Medical Association offers these guidelines for keeping pets safe.

There are now 1,350 high-risk ZIP codes in Illinois for lead exposure, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed a pair of health care-related bills Tuesday that he said would put more controls on the pricing of pharmaceutical drugs sold through insurance plans while expanding insurance coverage for certain kinds of hospital costs

Illinois legislators and organizations released the following statements Tuesday after the U.S. Senate passed President Donald Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts bill.

At least 14 counties across northern Illinois are experiencing moderate drought conditions as of July 1

Gov. JB Pritzker announced Tuesday that former Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell will be his running mate for the 2026 campaign.

Families celebrating the Fourth of July will still face high grocery bills, with prices down an average of just 30 cents from last year’s record, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2025 marketbasket survey.

Illinois motorists will pay an average of about $6 more in gasoline taxes over the coming year as the state’s motor fuel tax rate hike goes into effect Tuesday

Illinois students won’t need to fill out applications for most state universities to be admitted — if they have high enough grades. The program will begin in the 2027-28 school year, with nine of the state’s 11 public universities participating

In Illinois, consumer fireworks may be purchased and displayed only by adults who have obtained permits from their local jurisdiction. Handheld fireworks, including firecrackers, roman candles and bottle rockets, are not approved for sale or use in Illinois.

Internode Greenery & Home in Joliet and the Fit Foundation in Crest Hill, were part of a series of four-minute videos the Illinois Retails Merchants Association is showcasing.

The awarded gala will be one of the first events Hollywood Casino Joliet will host next year in its new event center.

Gov. JB Pritzker began his third campaign for governor on Thursday, but much of the buzz around his 2026 campaign announcement focused on 2028.

Plainfield Pride, a local LGBTQ+ advocacy group, says it has seen an uptick in support in 2025 despite hostile political climate.

Four-term State Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva, said he is exploring a possible run for Illinois governor, even as Gov. JB Pritzker announced Thursday morning he would seek a third term.

Many Illinois communities are adding back a 1% grocery tax that will otherwise expire on Jan. 1. Is your town among them?

Gov. JB Pritzker will run for a third term as governor. He’s officially making the reelection announcement Thursday in a four-stop tour that spans Chicago, Rockford, Peoria and Springfield.

State lawmakers in Will County spoke at a Joliet casino about the recent passage of the largest budget in state history and the possibility of making adjustments to the budget later this year.

A Will County lawsuit claims the New Lenox Police Department engaged in “policing-for-profit” when their officers wrongfully seized a 2010 Jeep Wrangler belonging to a man innocent of wrongdoing.

A $1.23M upgrade of Limestone Park District's Hawkins Park is complete and open to the public.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced this week he has joined another multistate lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s decision to withhold billions of dollars in federal funds that had previously been approved for states and other grantees.

Three main factors contribute to the formation of Midwest dust storms: strong winds, dry soil in farm fields and large amounts of loose soil.

A former Bolingbrook police sergeant convicted of killing his third wife was in a wheelchair when he was brought to the Will County Courthouse in Joliet for a psychological evaluation.

Over the past 10 years, women have held fewer than one in 10 construction jobs. Prior to 2021, fewer than 5% of new construction apprentices in Illinois were women, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is cautioning the public to be on the lookout for roads buckling or blowing out due to the extreme heat.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed a new law Friday to make a series of changes to the Prisoner Review Board after it released a man who would go on to commit murder, leading to intense scrutiny in Springfield.

As extreme heat is predicted for northern Illinois in the coming days, health departments are warning residents of the signs of heat sickness. Cooling centers can found throughout Will County.

When it gets hot outside, pet owners need to remember to keep their dogs, cats, horses and any other beloved pets cool.

A New Lenox woman was never charged with any crime when her 2012 vehicle valued at $5,285 was seized by police but she spent more than a month fighting with prosecutors to get it back with no driving restrictions. 

Sandwich has decided to implement its own grocery tax in light of the state’s 1% grocery tax expiring on Jan. 1.

West Nile has been detected in 17 counties across Illinois. A county is considered positive for West Nile virus if a mosquito, horse or human from that county tests positive for the virus.

A group of Republican lawmakers filed a lawsuit this week that seeks to nullify legislation they say would indelibly alter both the business and legal landscape of Illinois

A Cook County man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to prison Tuesday in connection to dozens of catalytic converters reported stolen between 2021 and 2022 in DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties, authorities said

Several Illinois counties, including Will, Grundy and Kankakee, are under a tornado watch until 7 p.m. Wednesday.